Warming device

ABSTRACT

A warming device is provided. Such device includes a housing member having at least a first generally hollow interior chamber for housing predetermined items within. The housing member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A heating mechanism is operably disposed at a first predetermined location at least one of on and within the housing member for heating at least one of the interior chamber and such predetermined items housed within the interior chamber. An access mechanism is operably disposed on the housing member at a second predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access the interior chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/931,663 filed May 24, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to warming devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to devices for warming clothing, outerwear, footwear, towels, sheets, blankets, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, warming devices, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to warm towels and garments and heated dryers have been used to dry wet laundry.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Ibanez, U.S. Pat. No. 6,774,343 discloses a towel and garment warmer including a top-opening cabinet having an upper section that is provided with a rack for holding the items to be warmed, and a lower heating section. The two sections are separated one from the other by a removable air permeable screen. Heating is accomplished using an electrical resistance heater such as one or more incandescent light bulbs.

Job, U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,862, discloses a device to warm and/or dry textiles to enhance comfort and to prevent prolonged dampness in articles of clothing or towels which could promote growth of mold or mildew. Such device includes a frame and a heating element and a means for standing such device on a horizontal surface and hanging such device from a vertical surface.

Murphy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,287 discloses an apparatus for warming towels. The apparatus includes a cabinet having an internal vertical wall that divides the cabinet into a warming chamber and a second chamber. A tubular rack extends generally horizontally across the warming chamber and is adapted to support a towel, or other article to be warmed.

Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,100 discloses a warmer and dryer for fabric articles having a vertically disposed heated frame upon which one or more articles can be draped. A heated fluid is circulated through the frame by a pump that is mounted in the base of the frame. The frame is enclosed by a flexible enclosure made from a material that retains heat while at the same time allowing moisture to pass therethrough into the surrounding ambient.

Reesman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,446 discloses a device for heating an article such as a towel or the like. The device includes an enclosure and a heating device for providing heated air under positive pressure to the interior of the enclosure. A support in the form of a rack is arranged in the interior of the enclosure, dividing the enclosure into an upper volume and a lower volume. The towel is adapted for placement onto the upper surface of the rack, and cooperates with the lower wall of the enclosure to define a lower passage within which the heated air under positive pressure is received. Vent openings are provided in the upper portion of the enclosure for providing a bottom-to-top flow path for air supplied to the enclosure, with the towel being disposed in the flow path, and thereby heated by air circulating therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a warming device. Such device includes a housing member having at least a first generally hollow interior chamber for housing predetermined items within. The housing member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A heating means is operably disposed at a first predetermined location at least one of on and within the housing member for heating at least one of the interior chamber and such predetermined items housed within the interior chamber. An access means is operably disposed on the housing member at a second predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access the interior chamber.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device for heating clothing, outerwear, footwear, towels, sheets, blankets, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be used to heat a plurality of items of clothing, outerwear, footwear, towels, sheets, blankets, and the like simultaneously.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for enclosing clothing, outerwear, footwear, towels, sheets, blankets, and the like in a heat controlled chamber having a thermostat on an outside thereof for setting the degree of heat within.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet style device for housing and heating items within such device.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective side view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-5

A warming device, generally designated 10, is provided. Such device 10 includes a housing member 12 having at least a first generally hollow interior chamber 18 for housing predetermined items within. Such housing member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.

A heating means 16 is operably disposed at a first predetermined location at least one of on and within the housing member 12 for heating at least one of the interior chamber 18 and such predetermined items housed within the interior chamber 18.

An access means 22 is operably disposed on the housing member 12 at a second predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access the first generally hollow interior chamber 18. It is presently preferred that such first access means 22 is a door type member 24. It is presently preferred that such door type member 24 is at least one of a hinged type door type member and a sliding type door member. It is presently most preferred that such door type member 24 is a hinged door type member 26.

It is presently preferred that such heating means 16 is electrical. It is further presently preferred that a power source 28 is operably connected to the heating means 16 at a predetermined location thereon for supplying power thereto and a switch means 32 is operably connected to the power source 28 for selectively turning the power source 28 on and off.

It is presently preferred that such housing member 12 includes a second generally hollow interior chamber 34 operably disposed within the housing member 12 at a third predetermined location therein for housing at least one of the heating means 16, the power source 28, the switch means 32, and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that such housing member 12 further includes a second access means 38 operably connected to the housing member 12 at a fourth predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access at least one of the heating means 16, the power source 28, the switch means 32,and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that the first generally hollow interior chamber 18 includes at least one of at least one shelf member 42, hook member 44, towel bar member 46, and a combination thereof operably connected thereto at a predetermined location thereon. It is further presently preferred that at least one of such at least one shelf member 42, hook member 44, towel bar member 46, and such combination thereof are operably connected to the heating means 16 such that such at least one of such at least one shelf member 42, hook member 44, towel bar member 46, and such combination thereof are heated from within.

It is presently preferred that such heating means 16 is operably connected to a control means 48 for controlling a degree of heat produced by the heating means 16, the control means 48 being operably disposed on an outer surface 52 of the housing member 12 at a third predetermined location thereon. It is presently preferred that such control means 48 includes a thermostat 54. It is further presently preferred that such control means 48 includes a timer means 56 operably connected thereto for at least one of setting and implementing at least one of predetermined heating starting times and stopping times.

It is presently preferred that such heating means 16 includes at least one of oil tubes, a hot air blower, and radiant heat.

It is presently preferred that such power source 28 is at least one of AC and DC power.

According to a first embodiment such power source 28 is AC and the device 10 further includes an electrical cord 62 for communicating electricity to such heating means 16 at a first predetermined end 64 of the electrical cord 62 and removably and operably connectable to an electrical outlet (not shown) at a second predetermined end 66 of the electrical cord 62 for receiving electricity therefrom.

According to another embodiment such power source 28 is DC and the device 10 further includes at least one battery 72 operably connected to the heating means 16 for supplying power thereto and such battery 72 is removably secured within the housing member 12 at a fourth predetermined location therein. It is presently preferred that such least one battery 72 is rechargeable.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A warming device comprising; a. a housing member having at least a first generally hollow interior chamber for housing predetermined items within, said housing member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; b. a heating means operably disposed at a first predetermined location at least one of on and within said housing member for heating at least one of said interior chamber and such predetermined items housed within said interior chamber; and c. an access means operably disposed on said housing member at a second predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access said first generally hollow interior chamber.
 2. A warming device according to claim 1 wherein said heating means is electrical.
 3. A warming device according to claim 2 wherein a power source is operably connected to said heating means at a predetermined location thereon for supplying power thereto and a switch means is operably connected to said power source for selectively turning said power source on and off.
 4. A warming device according to claim 3 wherein said housing member includes a second generally hollow interior chamber operably disposed within said housing member at a third predetermined location therein for housing at least one of said heating means, said power source, said switch means, and a combination thereof.
 5. A warming device according to claim 4 wherein said housing member further includes a second access means operably connected to said housing member at a fourth predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access at least one of said heating means, said switch means, said power source and a combination thereof.
 6. A warming device according to claim 1 wherein said first generally hollow interior chamber includes at least one of at least one shelf member, hook member, towel bar member, and a combination thereof operably connected thereto at a predetermined location thereon.
 7. A warming device according to claim 6 wherein said at least one of said at least one shelf member, hook member, towel bar member, and said combination thereof are operably connected to said heating means such that said at least one of said at least one shelf member, hook member, towel bar member, and said combination thereof are heated from within.
 8. A warming device according to claim 1 wherein said heating means is operably connected to a control means for controlling a degree of heat produced by said heating means, said control means being operably disposed on an outer surface of said housing member at a third predetermined location thereon.
 9. A warming device according to claim 8 wherein said control means includes a thermostat.
 10. A warming device according to claim 9 wherein said control means further includes a timer means operably connected thereto for at least one of setting and implementing at least one of predetermined heating starting times and stopping times.
 11. A warming device according to claim 2 wherein said heating means includes at least one of oil tubes, a hot air blower, and radiant heat.
 12. A warming device according to claim 3 wherein said power source is at least one of AC and DC power.
 13. A warming device according to claim 11 wherein said power source is AC and said device further includes an electrical cord for communicating electricity to said heating means at a first predetermined end of said electrical cord and removably and operably connectable to an electrical outlet at a second predetermined end of said electrical cord for receiving electricity therefrom.
 14. A warming device according to claim 11 wherein said power source is DC and said device further includes at least one battery operably connected to said heating means for supplying power thereto and removably secured within said housing member at a fourth predetermined location therein.
 15. A warming device according to claim 13 wherein said at least one battery is rechargeable.
 16. A warming device according to claim 1 wherein said first access means is a door type member.
 17. A warming device according to claim 15 wherein said door type member is at least one of a hinged door type member and a sliding door type member.
 18. A warming device according to claim 16 wherein said door type member is a hinged door type member. 